Louie Tonkin effect has given Bahrain belief that they can become one of Gulf rugby's giants

Matt Jones - Editor 13:25 13/08/2017
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  • Big push: Bahrain coach Louie Tonkin.

    The Louie Tonkin effect on Bahrain has created a huge buzz around the club, with the man himself believing people are daring to dream anything is possible.

    For so long a meandering club living in the shadow of more illustrious neighbours Doha in the Gulf’s western region, the Welshman set about a transformation when he arrived 12 months ago that started to come to fruition by the end of the 2016/17 season.

    Bahrain finished third in the West Asia Premiership, winning seven of their 12 games, and gave Abu Dhabi Harlequins a stern test in the final of the West Asia Cup before succumbing to a 31-25 defeat.

    Although they failed to lift any silverware, Tonkin insists their season has instilled hope in his players and everyone connected to the club.

    “I’ve never seen a more excited group of players,” Tonkin said about the early weeks of pre-season.

    “We did well last year and I think it’s given perhaps the guys who’ve been here a long time and not had much success, it’s given them a sniff of what can be achieved if they work hard.

    “They’re working their a**** off in the gym right now, some who perhaps haven’t been in the gym before. It’s brought a really good edge to the squad and everybody’s working hard. There’s a real buzz about starting the league.”

    Bahrain start their 2017/18 campaign with an eye-catching West Asia Cup final rematch with Mike McFarlane’s all-conquering Quins on September 29 in the West Asia Premiership, and Tonkin revealed his players are working extremely hard during the arduous summer months.

    “We still have guys away as is the case here but (the ones who are here) have been in the gym the last month and making good gains,” said the former Cardiff University head coach.

    “We’re back into training now with 75 per cent of the squad. The rest will come back in the next few weeks. With the weather it’s obviously difficult to get volume in but we are making headway and it’s great.

    “The majority of the squad is the same, but we will be making slight changes to the way we play. It’s a case of recapping and building into six weeks with our new exposure in the (Western Clubs) Champions League which we’re really excited about.”

    Tonkin was pretty much a one-man army on the coaching side last season, which makes the club’s progress even more remarkable, but he has made steps to make life a little easier, and the club set-up more professional for the coming season.

    “I was a one man team last year in terms of management,” he added.

    “This year we wanted to increase that and make it more professional. I am still director of rugby but we’ve brought in Adam Wallace, team captain last year, on an official basis. He will now become player-coach and will look after the backs and attack.

    “We’ve also brought in club legend Tom Hanratty. He’s played for the club for years, doesn’t play too much anymore but has been involved with the Arabian Celts, a gaelic football team, over the past few seasons.

    “We’re really lucky to get him on board and building a strong management group with him.”

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